Recruitment tragedy: Moro apologises

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has apologised to Nigerians over the loss of lives during the Immigration recruitment exercise.

Peoples Daily recalls that the Immigration recruitment which held on the 15th March, 2014, claimed the lives of about 20 job seekers across the country.

Moro, who issued the apology at the weekend, while in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, called on all Nigerians to understand that the motive behind the exercise was to provide jobs for the youths.

“I think that I will ordinarily ask Nigerians for understanding on this matter. I want them to understanding that the motive behind the entire process was to ensure transparent recruitment exercise that is the first of its kind in the services of the Ministry of Interior.

“The exercise was intended primarily to give employment to Nigerians irrespective of their background, irrespective of their connection and contacts in the government or in the business circle. It was an exercise coming from the background of the Services in the Ministry of Interior being accused of job racketeering, money for Jobs. Instances of where people have been charged an upward of N500, 000 and upward for a slot of job.

“So, the exercise was intended to correct all the ills of the past and give everybody an opportunity. But unfortunately, we have this tragic incident on our hands in which young Nigerians loss their lives.

“I want to say that the death of these Nigerians, who would have added to the human resources asset of this country, is highly regrettable. And for the families, I insist that my heart goes out to them. I’m a father and I know what it feels to lose a child. If I have the capacity to turn the clock back, I would do it and these children could be alive today”, Moro said.

Moro also denied involvement with the consulting firm, saying it was the board that took a decision in its 36th meeting that neither it nor the ministry should be involved in collection of funds.